i should just go to bed, but i am kinda enjoying the quiet. i was just looking through my photos of halloween, and even though i walked around w/ my camera over my shoulder, i didn't snap many shots.

i only took photos of Capri and Connor- i guess cause they were hanging out with me! all the big kids were off w/ their friends and in a hurry to do their thing! man, what would i do without these little people!? i am not ready for the groups of girls coming to the door looking for Colton and Cory... nor am i ready to start wanting to go to bed before my kids even come home!

i am so lucky to have these two... they are so much fun to have around, and they say the cutest things! i got Connor a pair of new shoes last week, and he is wearing an 8 now. for some reason, that freaked me out. same day, Colton pulled on my running shoes and pointed out that we are the same size. (what?!)... i did warn him about not putting his stinkers in my shoes! kids are funny... i think that i am feeling a bit overwhelmed..

one thing at a time.

i have a full, and challenging week ahead... all good things-and it requires organization and clear thinking. two things that are NOT my strengths! HA... but a monday starting on a 1st day of the month is pretty killer! and what a wonderful, beautiful, exciting month November is. so much to look forward to!

i have to say that since i was a child, the concept of 'trick or treating' continues to be a magical one! i can totally remember being young(er) and RUNNING from house to house trying to fill a pillowcase. tonight as i took the littles around to a few houses, i had a little chuckle or 2 as groups of pre-teens and teenagers were literally sprinting from door to door. i told my kids that the latest they could be out trick or treating was 9pm, so about bang on the dot, they were here- weighing their bags. the boys got quite a haul.

this year- my plan was to be a 'roller derby' girl... but the costume didn't really come together, as there were too many places i had to be in costume that i couldn't have skates on... SO- i decided to go for the mohawk. frankly- i loved it... Tuesday night was the neighborhood party- and i tried it out- a friend of mine spiked it up w/ blue colored gel, and after some coaxing and flat ironing, it was SET! Last night was our family halloween party, so i did it again, and then slept on it for today- it's a total WORRY FREE hairstyle! this is reason #2 why i love halloween so much- i love freakish hair styles, but wouldn't wear one normally... halloween is my chance to be crazy, with a full liscence. i wore my mohawk to the grocery store, subway, taco bell, 2 hockey games, post office and the gas station. most people kinda looked at me and gave me a smug little smile... i got a few 'thumbs up'... and i wondered how many people just thought it was my normal hair do. halloween is fun.

here are a few photos from the family party at my aunt KJ's... she LOVES halloween, and as Colton describes her "is very festive" (in general). not to mention, super creative and throughly over the top! i just loved all her garlands this year.

this is her... w/ her cute spider cake... and look at the inside:

and the cake was lemon flavor- totally unexpected, and so cute! (the eyes were blinking)

this was taken as we were all lining up for photos. the most important part of the party!my cutie niece charlotte, w/ the cheek tatoos, and my total Barbie SIL ......this group was pretty decked from head to toe:

KJ can make these boots work w/ many-a-costume

LOVED these legwarmers... i am fully needing some legwarmers.

i should have taken a better photo of this little froggy's costume... hand knit by KJ herself... SOO cute.

i really appreciate the effort that my aunt puts in each and every halloween- it's been as long as i can remember that she has faithfully put together this lavish 'spooktacular'... and i appreciate both the creativity and the tradition...i appreciate that everyone goes all out on costumes, and gives me an extra excuse to dress up! (twist my arm). you really do have more fun if you are dressed up! and now,

yesterday i got to go and watch capri's Pre-school program... and it was about the cutest thing ever!! i was kinda amazed... they have only been like 2 months, and already they knew a bunch of songs, WITH actions!! Capri was loving being in performance mode, and she is my shy-est one, but she did great!

the little program was simple, but SO cute! they had little art project visual aids, and a few little props... you could tell that they were all so proud! and don't you just love all the parents trying to capture the moment... i was sitting there with my camera, my video camera, and my iphone trying to take short videos to email family, and quick photos also for emailing... i was not alone!

Capri is the 'pres' of her class this week, and it's just been the highlight of her life! she is taking her responsibilites very seriously- so cute!! but if you look close on her little owl hat in this photo, you can see that she has written her name... i LOVE it! she is writing it on everything... (it's the letters in the middle)- looks like she has all kinds of 'words' going on there. She LOVES to make all the crafts... also, worth a note... she has a 'sympathy' bandage on her left index finger...

i am feeling so grateful for the school, and her teachers... they do an awesome job, and have been a tremendous support to me! i had such a hard time deciding on a school- i couldn't decide if they should be together in a class (that would have helped me...) but, i couldn't shake the feeling that they needed some individualized attention and more age appropriate learning... i was debating between to schools, and i really feel like i made the best decision- while it's hard to juggle their little schedules, and the driving... etc etc... but they have just grown so much. it's such a blessing when people love and care for your children, and give them something you can't.

i can't believe how much these littles have grown in this last year... how much more capable and responsible they are. they are so sweet, and add so much! i think that actually- across the board, all the sudden i look at my kids and they seem older, taller... and more grown up... ( and then a huge fight breaks out, someone calls someone a name, something breaks and someone gets hurt)... LOL... typical? please tell me yes!!

thanks to all you teachers out there... under appreciated, and overly needed... you do SO much! your influence is SO great... i am SO thankful for all of you!

i am loving the new Daily Gratitude kits- as well as the reminder to look for things to be thankful for...the colors are fab! so i wanted to make something just for me! SO- i was looking for something to work with, and i found a left over portfolio thing, and it was perfect... i wound up creating 2 different projects from the portfolio- yep- i hacked it apart (without cutting myself...) i really like how they turned out- so much fun

so this was the first project... a flip out- or "fan book"... not sure what i would call it...

not even really sure how to photograph this one- to really show it..

the portfolio is made into a little 'casing' for the pages. the pages are all attatched in the upper left corner of the casing. then i put a book ring through the holes for all the pages to attach to. i had fun decorating the cover with Parisian Anthology accessories: Flower darling, Brooch Brads, ruffle darling, flair

the 2nd project was a mini-book ... the cover was the portfolio, and i attached the pages using the bind-it-all.

and i shared how to create instant coordinating paper out of the Parisian Anthology papers... using Distress Ink: i used: Crushed Olive, Mustard Seed, Broken China, Pumice Stone.

i'll have to show more photos when i get some photos in there... i used a 3/8" binding- i might have to pull it out and put 3/4" or something.

i had fun working on these... i love them! if you want to watch the recording... you can click HERE.

tonight i was wearing a new flower combo- i am super inspired by the grey and yellow! so i created a new combo-

ok... the last week has been a blur, and here it is again: WEDNESDAY... i am hosting with my injured finger, so hopefully everything will go smooth!

SO... i have left everyone hanging on my last weeks giveaway!!! the winner of a FLOWER of your choice from "Blossom Couture" is:

We will be giving out nerds, laffy taffy, chewy lemonheads, sweettarts, skittles, gobstoppers, gummi lifesavers, butterscotch candies, sourpatch, twizzlers, etc. We love candy and choose what we love to eat. lol Thanks for the chance to win that awesome kit and those flowers are incredible!

OK... so TONIGHT, we are showing off our newest collection at www.Houseof3.com : Daily Gratitude! Of course.. just in time for Thanksgiving... (yea, i know- it's an American holiday- but it's always time to be grateful!) there are gorgeous backgrounds, and a printable kit that has a banner printable, strips (that are a little different from the backgrounds) and a gorgeous elements page...

and ... we have been asked and asked for another monogram kit, and Rhonna outdid herself... these are totally fantastic!! Ornate letters.. you get 2 of each letter, great for mixing and matching- and they come as a printable PDF version... and also a brush kit! WOO HOO! love love... did you see what Janet did already!? so easy:

i have been working on a fun Hybrid project- well....2 projects to show you tonight... so we'll see how it goes w/ my bad finger!!

i cut up this cool portfolio that i got from Ikea... it's called the Kassett... it does require using a sharp object, which i now need a dr's note to do... (LOL) so we'll see how it goes!! i checked on the ikea website, and they aren't avail on the online site- you have to get in the store.. but now they are only 2.99 for 2, and they are closing them out. there was a tag on them that said: "last chance" ack!

as you can see, i was happily mixing the Parisian Anthology with the new backgrounds, as well as some stuff from the Fall Junque Collection...

so, join in the fun! it's tonight... at 8pm Mountain time... that is 7pm on the Pac coast, and 10pm out east! see you in a couple hours... click here to link to the show site!

i have been a little out of it since my late night- cutting off of my finger wed night (after the webshow)... ok- so i only cut off the TIP of my finger....but it's really slowing me down! but i did want to mention- one more day to shop....type in code: houseof30

i do want to send out a HUGE Happy Birthday wish to my friend, and partner Rhonna Farrer... she is a delight to work with and a true inspiration! i hope you have a wonderful day and a fabulous year to come!!

well... (and those who know me closely will laugh at me)... i planned WAAAY too much for tonight's show! SO, i have decided that there will be a "....to be continued". we did have fun tonight, and even though my kids were very highly non-cooperative... from the littlest to the biggest... they were just turkeys... i thought that it went well!

this photo shows off what is inside the kit... this kit is the only place at the moment, that you can get the 12x12" magicalmistical paper!! (so worth it)... i love this paper so much! you get 3 full 12x12 pages, and several border strips... as well as tags, die cuts, crepe ribbon and the WHOLE PACKAGE of my Texture stamps... and 3 colors: Dragon Fly, Apple and Pomegranate... here is the secret to these 3 colors- really, they are just primary colors (red, yellow and blue) this means, that there are many possiblities for blending and mixing colors... that was one of the objectives i wanted to show tonight.

we only got through a page and 1/2... but i did also show how you can use the glimmer mist on the Parisian Anthology Portfolio Album and papers... i have had so many emails about the Parisian Anthology- most just people telling me how much they love it! (thanks everyone... we love it too)

this was the first page... i talked about how the Apple and Pomegranate create anywhere from a bright orange to a rusty auburn color when mixed... and how FAB it looks w/ the pop of dragon fly: these colors are a littel freaky-

this page number two, i also played with the same apple and pomegrantate:

we used 2 different glimmer screen techniques... and played more w/ the blending... the 'to be continued' part is all about the color "PURPLE"....

you may or may not know that PURPLE is NOT one of my favorite colors... and i am not quite sure what the deal is on that, just isn't... until lately... it's winning me over... and i think that the glimmer mist is to blame... that, and i LOVE it mixed with Grey! well... i was going to show my Purple concoctions... but that will have to wait until next show... i'll be posting the 'continuation...'

but in celebration or maybe punctuation of the PURPLE combos tonight- (that didn't quite happen LOL)... i decided to design a Halloween flower that features the Witches' favorite color: PURPLE! i named it appropriately, "BEWITCHED". ... and i quite love it! The flowers are purple and black with purple tulle and black sheer layers... black feather and the centers are made from glittered silver beads. they come with BOTH a clip and a pin on the back. This flower will only be available until Oct. 28th. It's a HKS Blossom Couture Limited Edition

i even created Colton's birthday invitation in PURPLE... w/ this screamin' yellow! love it... (i am hiding carved out jack-o-lanterns around- w/ awesome prizes inside... we'll see how good they are at looking for treasure!).... and i am attempting a major cake project.

thanks again for watching folks! i love sharing... thanks to Janet, and Sally Lynne and Kim ... and COlton for helping make it all happeN!

and AS PROMISED... if you would like to WIN one of these Glimmer Kits, so you can play along... as well as a Bewitched Limited Edition Flower pin... leave a comment and tell me what kind of candy you are giving out Halloween night... (i love butterfingers and reses' PB cups... so i can't give that out!)

in about 18 days... i set sail with a bunch of creative, fabulous scrapbookers on the Ultimate Scrapbook Cruise! i am on the C O U N T D O W N. this will be my 3rd scrapbooking cruise - and i am excited. on the ship, people are so laid back, and in that 'cruise' state of mind... there is no stress, just FUN! i have been creating my class project, and trying to decide what i wanted to teach...i had so many ideas...and i am SO excited about what i finally came up with! i think that it turned out SO beautiful... really- when you are using the Parisian Anthology stuff... that's a given! i finally decided to present a class using the Parisian Anthology Canvas Album... it comes filled with 20 unique and different sized page protectors, with compartments from 2x3" to 5x5" and 5x7" up to 8.5 x 11". we'll be using Glimmer Mist and GLimmer Glam...Distress Ink and even a little Mod Podge! but there's more Parisian Anthology goodnes: ruffles, jeweled dangles, brooch brads,flower darlings and the deliciously gorgeous papers... oh, AND the stamps!

This class is called "happy thoughts", and it focuses on caputring little snipits... happy memories... maybe with photos, or jornaling... anything that will remind you of that 'happy thought'. this album is just perfect for this project (or maybe it's the other way around!) those of you who are cruising... you don't have to bring photos... you will be able to add them... but, if you would like, you can bring 5-10 photos... any size... that represent a happy thought! i hope this album will grown and deliver smiles, and joy...and delight!

for those of you who are cruising... i am offering 3 additional classes that you can opt into...they are 3 different prices, and time frames.

SO, for those of you Cruising ... email me HERE if you are interested in signing up for these classes...i'm kitting a limited number of kits, so it's a 'first come' situation...

lots to do to get ready!

not to mention... pulling together a 13th bday party for mr. colton... working out the dets.

i have about a million things to talk about- whew... seriously, stuff is buzzing around inside my brain, and i need to get it ORGANIZED! (yeah, right...) i am about the most non-linear thinker there is! but just to get a few things out there...

here is my big announcement:

while it seems that Creative Escape was just here... in order to put together the most amazing, and inspiring and UNFORGETTABLE creative escape yet... and forever more...we are in full-swing planning for next year! registration for the FINAL Creative Escape has opened! For the LAST year... we are pulling all the stops- this will be an event like none other... some of the things will be the same... same amazing attention to detail, beautiful and relaxing venue, delicious food and inspiring classes and fabulous teachers... but this year there will even be MORE! more classes, more techniques, more surprises, and more FUN than ever. i like to keep the details under wraps... you know the drill... but i will say this- Creative Escape will go out with a BANG! it's been so much fun to dream to out do ourselves! - i love the theme for this year... "worth remembering"... this creative escape will explore more elements of creativity and even some different styles of classes and types of projects... if you have been before... don't miss it! if you have been holding out... this is your last chance! usually we never announce teachers this early... but as i said, we are breaking our own rules, and re-vamping... check out the website and see who SOME of the familiar faces are that will be teaching- but that is just a few!! you have almost a year to plan! grab your sister, your friend, your daughter or mom... your neighbor or even your hubby! and COME! it will be AMAZING... it will be 'worth remembering'... mom.. katie... larane? are you guys in?

of course...i also have a webshow to prep for! i have been looking forward to this show... it's going to be kinda intese... i'll be teaching 3 12x12 scrapbook pages- all fully misted... and using my Heidi Swapp Glimmer kit- now this kit is quite special, because it's the only place you can get your hands on some of the special 'misting' paper! you can grab the kit here... or on the tattered angels website...

i am guessing that this show will go for more than an hour- i'll be sharing specific techniques.. but really focus on bringing an entire page- or an entire project together with color- and embellishments... still using the Fab fall colors... so plan on joining in! you can work along with me ... or after the show is over, you can work, and hit the pause button as needed... this kit has everything you need, and even cut to size! AND including the entire TEXTURE STAMP set... you will love this! but you will also need a bit pink misting mat... you can get that here. same time, same place... oct. 20 (wed night) at 8pm Mountain Time.

maybe you have checked out my new 'flower' shop... i wore a fun combo to church on sunday with my black and white cardi from Target... i am calling it the 'flamingo combo' ... the flamingo blossoms are new this week... ok, admittedly not super fallish... but so bright and fuN! you save $2 when you buy this featured combo!

in this set you get a 'medium' or 4" hot pink flower, as well as a 'small' or 3" salmon w/ hot pink flower- the centers are a little cluster of faux pearls and some glitter (for extra sparkle). they come with clips on the back. as greys and blacks and dark colors start taking over the wardrobe, these sunny little numbers will add so much!

ok, back to work getting ready for the Ultimate Cruise! it's going to be here before i know it! and those of you who are sailing.. did you hear that Wendy Senger from Tattered Angels will be on board? you guys will be PRO glimmer misters after this! i can't wait to hang with Stacy and Debby as well.. i have been hearing about their projects, and just am hoping they are packing an extra kit for me! back to work!

i thought that last night’s webshow went great.. i was totally nervous- both because i was going to be performing LIVE doing the YUDU process of creating screens and then using the screen i made, and it’s just one of those things that i was hoping that i didn’t have any of those “creative accidents”...but no- it all went super smooth, and we had so much fun! i love my Yudu, so it’s fun to just share the love. i really like how my t-shirts have all turned out... and i am looking forward to distributing them to the lucky recipients!

as i said, last night i did lost of hands-on stuff... starting out with the t-shirt dying on the stove top with Rit dye. turned out awesome. ...

Then i created a NEW screen, and went through the process of drying the emulsion on the screen, to burning the image on the screen and then in fact printing... i printed lots of different t-shirts, so you could really get a feel for how long it takes, and really how easy it is! i will admit, there was a bit of a learning curve for me, but one that has been SO worth it! i think that i have screened at least 20 t-shirts, 6 canvas bags, 32 cloth napkins and ... what else? any and everything that crossed my path! so much fun!

i also showed off my “Halloween Blossom” which is the ‘featured flower’ on my new little Etsy Shop... i have had so many people asking about the flowers that Rhonna had taught me how to make-and i was making onesise and twosies for various people... as well as teaching my Relief Society how to make them... just decided to put a few up on Etsy, and make them available. i LOVE to wear flowers- all the time, and i love having them in every color! they are so easy to wear...you might have spied them on me and my girls in our ‘family home pictures’ as Capri calls them.

(anything we do as a family is a ‘family home ‘ something. FUNNY! i have enlisted the help of a couple women that are making the flowers- it’s just a great little gift for yourself or someone else! perfect to give to sisters and co-workers... i am going to be periodically designing a ‘feature’ flower that will be LIMITED edition and only available for a limited amount of time. the Halloween Blossom is a Limited Edition, and looks great with all things spooky! Click here to check out the recorded version.

i can barley keep my eyes open, but i have a big announcement tomorrow ! so check back!!